Perfect weather, beautiful mountain, incredible day! Fellow SummitPost member annaleiserabinek and I arrived late Friday night and found a spot at the Broken Arrow campground at Diamond Lake and grabbed a few hours of sleep. I awoke to the silhouette of Mt. Thielsen through the trees as the sun began rising behind it, small sliver of moon still hanging above the summit pinnacle. Broke camp and ate in the short lived cold morning air, by the time we hit the trailhead at 7:30AM it was warm. The trail leading to the west ridge was very nice and mellow. Once on the ridge the views were spectacular, from the Sister's to Mt. McLoughlin. The hot morning sun hung directly over the summit of Thielsen as if the mountain was emitting the intense light. Trudged our way up the loose rock and scrambled our way to the chicken out point. The final eighty feet were not as bad as I had imagined although I took a less preferable route a little more to the left than I wanted because there was roped climbing team going up the easiest route. The down climb was easy. Spent about an hour eating and soaking in the views and sun barefoot just below the summit, then headed back. Couldn't resist climbing on the hudge sand castle looking rock formation on the way down. After, we drove a few miles down HWY 230 to Hamaker campground and soaked our feet and washed up in the frigid Rouge River...beautiful. Drove back to Diamond Lake resort and had omelets, fries, toast, lots of coffee, and decided to climb Mt. Bailey the next day since we were there (great decision). Found a nice little camp site on the lake with a view of Mt. Bailey, set up camp and drifted off to sleep. Perfect day!

Dean and I slept in a rest area along US97, then got up early and drove to the TH. It was a perfect day to climb Thielsen, with the smoke of the LaPine fire to the north being the only visibility limiter. I enjoyed the scramble at the summit, although I'm not all that confident on rock and the downclimb had a moment or two. Great fun! 24th and 25th Oregon county highpoints (Douglas and Klamath).

Great day to climb this peak. Not a cloud in the sky and tremendous views in all directions. I must admit to being a little intimidated at first by the last 80 feet but finally made the effort to stand on the summit after being prodded by fellow summitposter rfbolton who went right up it with no hesitation. The register is a lead pipe with bits of paper scraps stuffed in it and a red pen inside. I'm not sure how long entries will last as it is a sketchy set up. .

Easy hike in. Last few hundred feet are a little hairy, loose rock slabs. The pinnacle is easy class V, the group I was with didn't rope up but a group ahead of us placed protection -- it feels fairly exposed. The weather was beautiful, hot. Bring lots of water and sunscreen if you climb during the summer.

Fun climb - we did it twice over the weekend. Last pitch of rock is fun with no real exposure and easy climbing. Weather seemed much better on the mountain both days in the morning, with clouds rolling in around noon-2pm.

Both Mary and I hiked to the PCT on a beautiful day in September. We took a short break and started up the climbers trail. We had packed our rock climbing gear and a rope and just before the saddle we decided this was just taking too much gear. Especially after speaking with some climbers who passed us, we left our equipment stashed on the way up. Once we gained the saddle and scoped the summit pinnacle we started our scramble. The pinnacle was very easy climbing and unexposed. You can stay in between boulders and the handholds are large. Down climbing was only a bit more challenging. This is a great mountain to sharpen your teeth on.

My most satisfying solo climb to date. Dramatic looking mountain. Had the mountain to myself until right before I got back to my car. Car to summit back to car in under 5 and 1/2 hours. Summit pinnacle was easier than I expected. One or two fifth class moves but the majority was 3rd and 4th class I thought. No need for a rope. Climbed it in just a few minutes. Downclimbing was easy. Summit register was missing the cap and it was just scraps of paper inside so no chance to sign it. Clouds rolled in as I summitted but views were nonexistent below me anyway due to the wildfires. Couldn't even see Diamond Lake. Got down quickly as I wanted to avoid that whole "lightning rod of the Cascades thing." Saw about 700 freaking chipmunks on the trail and one huge wild turkey. Awesome climb. Would like to go back and do the McLaughlin Memorial route up the west face. Fun!

Great day! First Group to summit as we got an early start in order to beat the heat. Passed many a hiker/climber on the way down. Only wished I would have taken care of my hot spots on my heels a little earlier! Nothing like raw meat, however got to dip them in Diamond lake before the drive to Smith Rock.

We hit snow just after the 2 mile mark on the way up, and the trail disappeared! Route finding to the west ridge was very straight forward. We set up camp by the PCT junction with a great view. Stay close to the ridge above timberline to avoid very loose, steep talus. Summit block is an easy climb, but unless you enjoy exposed downclimbing bring a rope.

Slept on the saddle just below the summit pinnacle. Climbed up in the predawn light to see the sunrise from the summit. The needle shadow is something to see. Another guy came up about an hour later, and while we were hanging out we saw a helicopter dip below the rim of crater lake and never come back up. We were some of the last people to see that chopper before it crashed into the lake.

This climb/hike is probably one of my most favorite that I have done so far. It is definitely "short and sweet!" Round-trip took about 6 hours. Some nice third class scrambling just below the "saddle." Despite my better judgement, went ahead and climbed the summit block without a rope; can honestly say that I probably would not do it again without one. The views from the top are awesome, and the experience is grand, but the consequences of what could happen on that last 80 feet or so, unroped, are not really worth it.......................................In other words, no matter how good you think you are, you would be very wise to take a rope.

I enjoyed the last steep section of the climb & the summit was pretty neat, being it was so small. Had a good time camping & hanging-out at Diamond Lake, we also had to play tourist & check-out Crater Lake.